Two instances of feral swine escaping from a Washington County hunting preserve have been reported, and breeding populations have been identified in six other counties in New York.

Although most common in the South, the species' numbers have been growing in New York state in recent years and officials are trying to curtail the problem before it gets out of control.

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"We're at this crossroads," said Alan Gosser, assistant state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "We can eliminate them or we can do nothing. They're going to grow exponentially."

Most feral swine are Eurasian boar, imported for hunting purposes. Gosser said there is an active subculture of people who like to hunt the animals. There are more than a dozen hunting preserves and breeding facilities in the state, he said, and at present they are not regulated.

"When we find swine on the landscape, there's usually a hunting preserve nearby," Gosser said. "You can't keep them in a pen. We're working with the DEC (state Department of Environmental Conservation) to remove them."

A presentation about the situation is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in Glens Falls Public Library's Community Room. The speaker will be wildlife disease biologist Justin Gansowski of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Schodack.

Feral swine compete with wildlife such as deer and turkeys for food.

"They're like vacuum cleaners in the forest," Gosser said. "They primarily live in and move through wetlands, so they're very destructive to sensitive ecosystems."

They've already caused extensive agricultural losses throughout the state. In Delaware County, feral swine damaged 11 acres of corn, costing a farm $14,850. A farm in Clinton County reported about $25,000 in damage to corn, apples and strawberries, and a tree farm in Cortland County reported damage from feral swine rubbing up against the bases of trees.

Livestock damage has been reported in Tioga County, where feral swine damaged fences and animal enclosures, and in Sullivan County they attacked and injured two domestic sows.

There is also a threat of feral swine transmitting disease to domestic swine, which could decimate the pork industry.

A breeding population exists in Onondaga County, too.

"Many people are aware of the feral swine problem in southern states like Texas and Florida, but these animals are also becoming more prevalent in New York state and causing damage that affects numerous residents," American Wildlife Conservation Foundation President Dr. Peg Sauer said. "It is time that we learn about this harmful and destructive invasive species before the situation gets out of control."

Gosser said the USDA traps and destroys the animals wherever it can and is awaiting DEC funding to increase such efforts.

"We're OK for the next year or two," he said. "The future is always uncertain, especially in these economic times."

The USDA doesn't encourage people to shoot the animals because that just promotes the spread of swine hunting, Gosser said.

There have been multiple incidents of motorists striking the animals with their vehicles, he said.

Feral swine typically live in groups of 12 to 15. Boars may be from four to six feet long and weigh from 150 to 200 pounds.

Feral swine also:

o Eat the nests and eggs of ground-nesting birds and reptiles.

o Kill and eat fawns and young domestic livestock.

o Eat almost any agricultural crop as well as tree seeds and seedlings. In addition, their rooting and wallowing habits destroy crops and native vegetation, cause erosion and negatively affect water quality.

o Can be aggressive toward humans and pets. Their razor-sharp tusks cause injury.

The Jan. 19 program will be presented by the Southeastern Adirondack Chapter of the New York State Forest Owners Association in cooperation with the Warren County Cornell Cooperative Extension. The program is free, open to the public and is especially geared toward farmers, sportsmen, local governments, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and conservation organizations.

"We'll talk to anyone who wants to listen," Gosser said. "People can't help solve the problem until they know there is one."